Zeepington
Smash Cadet
After a few months of playing 1v1, I found a general idea of how the matchmaking works in 4G. This is still not clear, so I'll come up with more info later. It might also work similarly with Team Smash and Smash, but that hasn't been checked.
Take note that what is stated may not be true for all players, this has been personal my experience with the matchmaking system and this is how it goes for me. I consider myself as an average player, and my win rate is 69%. Just above average.
First off, let's use this image for a better understanding of how the system works. Let's call this the Skill Graphic. or as any other human being puts it, a rank.
The numbers in the skill graphic represent the skill level, as 1 is where the top players are, while players in 10 still needs to learn the basics of the game. Players are set in these sections automatically every time they start up the game, thanks to the win rate value. X represents where in the skill graphic you start when you go online for the first time ever in the day if you have, let's say, a 50% win rate.
If it's the first game of the day, they'll take someone with a lower win rate than you to make an actually possible challenge, maybe 40% or 30%. If you manage to win a % of games, your win rate inbetween 10 matches will go higher, and a new opponent will be brought to you to lower this rate. Basically, the more games you win against a single user, the harder the next user will be to face. If your win rate is high by the start of the day, tougher the opponents become.
NEW // Obviously, the match win rate is in effects, but the matches played in total acts as a multiplier. If you have lost 3 matches out of 5, the next opponent should be easier but by barely. However, if you lost 15 matches out of 20, the opponent will be much more easier, and vice versa.
NEW // If you find yourself facing an opponent tougher than the previous one, it's because the game isn't based by actual skill, only by the Win Rate. You could face a god with a win rate of 50% or a new player with that same rate. This explains why the nature of meeting other players feel random.
GSP also plays a decent factor in this when you first start playing, and takes a backseat the more you've played online. If you haven't played Online for a while and mostly been playing Singleplayer, GSP will change your position in the Skill Graphic. However, it is proven easier to level up in the SG than to level down. I believe it's this way to prevent jerks from getting a lower skill rate intentionnally to troll newer players.
The importance of GSP varies according to the gamemode you're playing. The GSP will be mostly based off of Classic, Orders and Multi-Man Melee modes, as they're the closest to resemble a regular 1v1 game. Target Blast and Home-Run Contest takes less importance in matchmaking.
Side notes
Another thing, however it needs more evidence : if you keep picking a single character, the game will take note that you often play with that character and try finding an opponent that can easily defeat this said character.
The obvious factor played in matchmaking is the location of the opponent. They'll find the nearest opponent in order to prevent lag. It's basically required for proper matchmaking in all multiplayer games, so no big surprise.
However, the unexplained ridiculous ramp between opponents remains unexplained. It's probably because of the win rate in 10 matches value, I dunno. I'll update this post when I figure it out.
TL;DR : It's the ELO system, with a few changes to fit best Smash 4's multiplayer.
I will keep this thread up-to-date, so that people can understand how the matchmaking system works in this game. If you have anything you'd like to share, please do. I'm open for feedback, so if I've got something wrong, do tell.
If this gets confusing for people, I might aswell do a more visual explanation.
don't worry i didn't actually took my time to study this
and this is my first thread, if I broke a rule somewhere don't be surprised :V
Take note that what is stated may not be true for all players, this has been personal my experience with the matchmaking system and this is how it goes for me. I consider myself as an average player, and my win rate is 69%. Just above average.
The basics of the MM
First off, let's use this image for a better understanding of how the system works. Let's call this the Skill Graphic. or as any other human being puts it, a rank.
If it's the first game of the day, they'll take someone with a lower win rate than you to make an actually possible challenge, maybe 40% or 30%. If you manage to win a % of games, your win rate inbetween 10 matches will go higher, and a new opponent will be brought to you to lower this rate. Basically, the more games you win against a single user, the harder the next user will be to face. If your win rate is high by the start of the day, tougher the opponents become.
NEW // Obviously, the match win rate is in effects, but the matches played in total acts as a multiplier. If you have lost 3 matches out of 5, the next opponent should be easier but by barely. However, if you lost 15 matches out of 20, the opponent will be much more easier, and vice versa.
NEW // If you find yourself facing an opponent tougher than the previous one, it's because the game isn't based by actual skill, only by the Win Rate. You could face a god with a win rate of 50% or a new player with that same rate. This explains why the nature of meeting other players feel random.
How the GSP fits in the MM system
GSP also plays a decent factor in this when you first start playing, and takes a backseat the more you've played online. If you haven't played Online for a while and mostly been playing Singleplayer, GSP will change your position in the Skill Graphic. However, it is proven easier to level up in the SG than to level down. I believe it's this way to prevent jerks from getting a lower skill rate intentionnally to troll newer players.
The importance of GSP varies according to the gamemode you're playing. The GSP will be mostly based off of Classic, Orders and Multi-Man Melee modes, as they're the closest to resemble a regular 1v1 game. Target Blast and Home-Run Contest takes less importance in matchmaking.
Side notes
Another thing, however it needs more evidence : if you keep picking a single character, the game will take note that you often play with that character and try finding an opponent that can easily defeat this said character.
The obvious factor played in matchmaking is the location of the opponent. They'll find the nearest opponent in order to prevent lag. It's basically required for proper matchmaking in all multiplayer games, so no big surprise.
However, the unexplained ridiculous ramp between opponents remains unexplained. It's probably because of the win rate in 10 matches value, I dunno. I'll update this post when I figure it out.
Conclusion
TL;DR : It's the ELO system, with a few changes to fit best Smash 4's multiplayer.
I will keep this thread up-to-date, so that people can understand how the matchmaking system works in this game. If you have anything you'd like to share, please do. I'm open for feedback, so if I've got something wrong, do tell.
If this gets confusing for people, I might aswell do a more visual explanation.
don't worry i didn't actually took my time to study this
and this is my first thread, if I broke a rule somewhere don't be surprised :V
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